Jayan Cherthala slams Kerala Film Producers Association: Calls out blame on actors' fees as misleading

Actor Jayan Cherthala has strongly criticized the Kerala Film Producers Association for blaming actors’ high remuneration as the primary reason for financial losses in the Malayalam film industry.


Speaking to reporters in Kollam on Friday, Jayan, who is also a member of the AMMA ad-hoc committee, asserted that producers cannot hold actors solely responsible for the industry's struggles.

He also condemned the association’s attitude toward actors, stating that they are treated merely as ‘employees’ working under producers. "AMMA will not stand by while the producers’ association tarnishes its members. Actors negotiate their remuneration before committing to a film, so blaming them for industry losses is unjust." he said. Jayan further pointed out that AMMA has financially supported the producers’ association during challenging times.


He further said, “Superstardom is the most important factor in any cinema. This is not limited to Malayalam cinema, even in world cinema this is the criteria. When we release a poster with the faces of superstars like Mohanlal and Mammootty, the producers feel confident that the audiences will pay for the ticket to watch the film. Even the heads of this producers association, for example Suresh Kumar has made movies like ‘Aaram Thampuran’ that turned out to be superhits. He has utlized Mohanlal’s stardom to it’s best. During those times such people didn’t had any complaints. Now since there are several newcoming producers incoming who are using new actors for their film which turn out to be superhits. The list that the producers association unveiled has some movies which were only newly released and also those movie which no one has even heard of.”

Jayan added, “They simply want to fool the general public and say that films are failing due to the fact that actors are charging heavy fees.” He also said that AMMA had given Rs 1 crore to the producers association for the office construction, from which Rs 40 lakhs is yet to be returned.


His remarks come amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the Kerala Film Producers Association’s decision to initiate an indefinite strike starting June 1.

Meanwhile, 'Empuraan' producer Antony Perumbavoor has publicly opposed the strike, calling it detrimental to the thousands of workers dependent on the film industry. In a detailed Facebook post, he argued that halting film production would create a ripple effect, impacting livelihoods across various sectors.